Anneal – Heating a metal surface or an orthodontic wire to the point at which the properties are altered, and becomes soft.
Blockout – Process of using wax to fill undercuts of the tissue or tooth areas on a dental cast.
Buff – A finishing or polishing process that puts a shine on an acrylic or metal appliance.
Buffing Wheel – A cloth wheel used on an appliance for final buff.
Burr – A metal tool used in either a hand piece or a lathe to grind and/or finish metal or acrylic.
Cast – A gypsum plaster or stone reproduction of the teeth. Used to fabricate a dental or orthodontic appliance.
Clasp – A wire bent to fit the teeth and attached to the appliance to support and retain it within the mouth. Types of clasps are: Adams clasps, Arrow clasps, Ball clasps, “C” clasps or circumferential clasps and the Delta clasps.
Duplicate – Making a copy of a laboratory model using materials such as alginate or hydrocolloid.
E-Arch – A type of holding arch associated with interceptive orthodontics. It derives its name from the fact that it’s banded to first deciduous molar also known as the “E”.
Expansion screw – Chrome plated, stainless steel or titanium device that consists of a housing and a threaded rod for the purpose of gaining or regaining space along the dental arch and/or the mid-palatal suture. (Also known as a Jackscrew.)
Flux – A chemical catalyst used in soldering that facilitates the flow of solder onto a metal surface.
Gauge – A specific measurement of wire and/or other dental materials such as wax. The other two standards of measurement are inches and millimeters.
Hawley – Name of the most popular standard retainer, named after Dr. C.A. Hawley. Can be a Bow, Wire or Appliance.
Heat Treat – The process of altering the properties of metal by heating it. Heat-treating typically removes the stress introduced into orthodontic wire through the bending and forming process.
Height of Contour – The broad circular contour measurement of a tooth above the gingiva. (Height of contour is important when determining the undercut of a tooth.)
Hydrocolloid – A duplicating material used in the lab to make copies of models. Hydrocolloid is used in a boiling and flasking process and is considered very accurate.
Hyrax – An acronym that stands for Hygienic Rapid expansion. This screw is designed to open the midpalatal suture quickly, substantially and hygienically. (a.k.a. palex or RPE).
Labial Bow – The anterior wire section of an orthodontic appliance, typically bent to follow the contours of the anterior teeth.
Mandrel – A round tool that holds an abrasive instrument used in a handpiece or lathe.
Monomer – A liquid part of methyl methacrylate or acrylic.
Polishing Materials – Various chemical compounds used with rotary instruments to produce a smooth surface on an appliance.
Polymer – The powder portion of methyl methacrylate acrylic resin.
Polymerization – Conversion of liquid and powder into a hard plastic material, referring to the curing of acrylic.
Pumice – An abrasive material used to produce a final finish to acrylic appliances.
Retainer – An appliance for holding teeth in the position established through orthodontic treatment. Retainer typically consists of labial wire bows, and clasps with an acrylic palate or supporting body.
Slurry Water – water from the model trimmer exhaust that contains particles of trimmed plaster. Slurry water accelerates the set of fresh plaster.
Solder – A low heat metal that is melted and used to join other metals.
Soldering Anti-Flux – A chemical used on metal to prevent solder from flowing onto an undesired area such as the inside of the buccal tube.
Temper – Heating a metal to restore it to an intended ideal property.
Thermoplastic – Pliable or moldable when heated. Thermoplastic acrylic, for example, is used in the Biostar machine.
Undercut – An area of the anatomy or teeth that is recessed in a vertical plane.
Wax Bite – A section of wax material used in the mouth to reproduce the bite relationship between the upper and lower jaws.
Work Harden – Changing the properties of an orthodontic wire in an undesirable way. Usually occurs when the wire is over bent.
